Finalist for presidency at NIC withdraws

Ronald Kraft, a finalist for the job of leading North Idaho College, took himself out of contention Friday.

“I am withdrawing because I am considering other opportunities,” Kraft said in a statement.

Kraft served as president and chief executive officer of the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges Alliance for Corporate Education from 2004 until January.

The remaining candidate is Leah Bornstein, chief executive officer at Colorado Mountain College’s Summit campus. But Kraft’s departure, which came the day after the two candidates visited campus and gave public presentations, does not necessarily mean Bornstein has the job, said Kent Propst, NIC’s vice president for community relations.

The board of trustees will meet next week to determine the next steps in the search, Propst said. Four semifinalists selected by a 22-member search committee still could be considered for the position if the board decides Bornstein is not suitable for the job.